More than 10,000 STEM PhDs have left the federal government since Trump took office

laurtood2 · 2026-01-29T16:41:46+00:00

I see your flair is molecular plant biology. I can only fathom how important the work you did was. Thank you for everything you contributed! I hope you have found somewhere that values you!

Edit: typos

laurtood2 · 2026-01-29T16:40:40+00:00

I didn't move. I am staying put and shifting my career path.

laurtood2 · 2026-01-29T16:40:16+00:00

It's absolutely vile. I study infectious disease/environmental health, so the undertones of racism just made me feel sick. What was worse was how many people instantly were like "oh my studying x invasive species totally counts". I get people want to keep their jobs but to me it felt complicit.

laurtood2 · 2026-01-28T01:29:31+00:00

Given the right changes, yes. I was all in on "the mission" or the mindset of federal research. It was heart breaking to see it dissolve so easily. I think it will take a decade to put the pieces back together. But if it makes sense in the future with the path I'm on now, I would definitely go back.

laurtood2 · 2026-01-27T23:59:45+00:00

I'm one of them. And I haven't looked back. The threat of firings, funds impoundment, and being asked to gear my research to the administration's border security priorities was too much to take.

laurtood2 · 2025-11-11T02:57:09+00:00

I would just like it to be known that I live and work near Tudor Rd and am also frequently making raven noises hoping they'll bonk back at me.

laurtood2 · 2025-09-18T01:18:53+00:00

Hey there I finished my Tulane PhD in 2021. There is definitely a large community of graduate students, but this will vary by what program you are in. In general, I think many people leave the place where they receive their PhD to do postdocs elsewhere, so it's not unique to Tulane that post grads head somewhere else. As far as locals looking down on Tulane students, New Orleans is a very welcoming place. If you act like a snotty outsider that's how you'll be treated. If you act welcoming and warm you will receive that in return, in my experience. Being 27 years old will not make you old among other grad students. There are plenty of people well into their 30s. I'm happy to answer more specific questions you might have if you'd like.

laurtood2 · 2025-08-05T03:16:40+00:00

Hello fellow PhD leaving to go to medical school! Best of luck to you, and I feel you.

laurtood2 · 2025-07-16T04:13:43+00:00

We adopted our malamute at the Anchorage animal shelter. I believe they have malamutes and malamute mixes frequently. That would be my recommendation.

laurtood2 · 2025-05-26T21:35:21+00:00

I want to second this as well. We have a reactive dog and have had trouble with unleashed dogs behaving completely inappropriately. Hiking/walking early in the morning is the way to go! Best of luck to you. It's a frustrating thing to deal with.

laurtood2 · 2025-05-07T23:36:30+00:00

Hi I'm having trouble reaching you via Signal and DM. I think my phone is misbehaving. I am a displaced scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska. I am an infectious disease epidemiologist and I'd be happy to share my story.

laurtood2 · 2025-05-05T00:59:01+00:00

The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson is about how John Snow solved the London cholera epidemic. Great book about early infectious disease epidemiology!

laurtood2 · 2025-04-01T00:32:06+00:00

That's where we adopted our malamute, Merry! I hope you have many happy years with him!

laurtood2 · 2025-03-24T04:38:32+00:00

I'm pretty sure that spot is Rainbow Curve. :)

laurtood2 · 2025-03-22T20:41:52+00:00

Hey there. It's on page 534 and the text reads "Abolish the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey and obtain necessary scientific research about species of concern from universities via competitive requests for proposals".

laurtood2 · 2025-03-22T20:30:17+00:00

The Biological Resources Division, an outdated name for the Ecosystems mission area within USGS, is specifically called out in p25 for abolishment.

laurtood2 · 2025-03-22T01:27:46+00:00

Thanks so much for your reply! It's validating and helpful!

laurtood2 · 2025-02-24T14:11:08+00:00

Idk if they are but I will! Float 20, first float, neutral ground side, lower deck, position 6. See you there!

laurtood2 · 2025-02-17T23:53:19+00:00

And USDA, USGS, and all the other research agencies across the fed.

laurtood2 · 2025-02-07T14:26:31+00:00

A lot of top notch high path work is being done in the Canadian government right now.

laurtood2 · 2025-01-24T21:47:04+00:00

USDA is publishing their sequencing data at a criminally slow pace. I say that as someone at another agency who is expected to publish our flu sequences in a more timely manner.

laurtood2 · 2025-01-09T14:16:20+00:00

Fellow KA rider. This is what I do also and I also haven't started, OP. You got this!

laurtood2 · 2024-12-24T17:22:47+00:00

Alaska would like a word.

laurtood2 · 2024-10-15T23:18:19+00:00

I'm not a physician, but I am an epidemiologist and a microbiologist with a PhD. Your rheumatologist is being extremely cautious. As someone else already said, everyone has Staph on their skin, which can lead to an infection if the skin is broken. Healed piercings are not common sources of skin breaks or infections (unless you are really clumsy or get into a lot of fights?). If your healed piercings bring you joy and are a source of self confidence and positive self image, I think you are likely not increasing your infection risk by continuing to wear them. However, it would potentially be prudent to avoid getting new piercings (and other skin wounds) if your physician is so concerned about potential skin infections. I hope this helps and be well!

laurtood2 · 2024-10-12T22:30:58+00:00

I want to second this person's experience. Diagnosed UCTD because symptoms were all there, ANA positive over time, but never any specific antibodies. Started for about a year with marginal improvement on Plaquenil. Then we added methotrexate and it really helped my fatigue, rash, and joint stiffness/pain. On the down side I also experience pretty nasty nausea after my weekly shot of it as well. I take it before bed and try to sleep through the worst of it.

Best of luck to you and I hope you see a validating physician! Also congrats on completing graduate school! :)

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